The Glory of the Cross

Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1826, Alexander MacLaren was a Baptist minister and twice president of the Baptist Union, as well as the first president of the Baptist World Alliance. While pastor of the Union Chapel in Manchester from 1858-1903, MacLaren drew large crowds through his effectual expository messages.

Though controversial because of his desire to unify the Baptists and Congregationalists, his expositional preaching earned him the reputation as "the prince of expository preachers." MacLaren's method of expositional preaching is widely used by many preachers today.

The Cross of Christ, the Person of Christ, and the love of God in Christ was the very heart of every one of his expositions. This quote from MacLaren captures one of the great truths behind his preaching: "We believe that the history of the world is but the history of His influence and that the center of the whole universe is the cross of Calvary."

This sermon, read by Pastor Jon Cardwell, exemplifies his passion for preaching the preeminence of the Cross.